Pickup trucks for Alaskan Campers

I am planning to buy a used Alaskan camper. Probably an 8 footer.
What models of used pickup trucks are recommended?

Thanks

Welcome to Wander The West. While I'm not an Alaskan owner I am familiar with the brand. The Alaskans are still in production and framed about the same as they always have been, out of Northwest Douglas Fir and Plywood. That translates to being on the heavier side. Durable but heavier. While you'll see them on 1/2 ton trucks, a 3/4 ton truck, I think, is better suited for the job.

The question is dimensions. The older Alaskans were approximately 48" at the base so about any full size should work for that one. The critical measurement is bed sidewall height. Over the years bed dimensions change, and change between manufactures. If the camper is shorter than the sidewalls then a platform will be required to compensate for the difference. Another measurement to consider is overall truck width. The two piece telescoping construction does not lend itself well to standard swing out corner jack mounts to compensate for truck width. I don't think many Alaskans were built with bumped out construction in the rear. If you find one that is then tailgate opening width will be a consideration. Tailgate openings have gotten narrower in the newer trucks.

I know this is not your question nor do I know your location but if you're open to anything, here is a combo in the N.W. http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3742326093.html It's not mine nor am I affiliated with it.

I wish you well in your search.

I had my NCO on a 77 F250 Highboy and now have it on a 95 F 250 diesel XLT that the previous owner souped up with hauling equipment. So definitely that range of Ford years work! I can barely tell its on there except truck rides smoother.

I have mine on a '78 F-250 I barley notice its on there. I think they are a bit heavy for a half ton.

I had my NCO on a 77 F250 Highboy and now have it on a 95 F 250 diesel XLT that the previous owner souped up with hauling equipment. So definitely that range of Ford years work! I can barely tell its on there except truck rides smoother.


Thanks. Here are a couple more questions:
What F250 models come with an 8' cargo bed? Do I just need to rule out the "Crew Cab" styles?

I need good back support in the seats. Does anyone know how hard it would be to replace the seats on an older model with seats that have good back support?

I have mine on a '78 F-250 I barley notice its on there. I think they are a bit heavy for a half ton.


Thanks. Great info.
Here are a couple more questions:
What F250 models come with an 8' cargo bed? Do I just need to rule out the "Crew Cab" styles?

I need good back support in the seats. Does anyone know how hard it would be to replace the seats on an older model with seats that have good back support?

Welcome to Wander The West. While I'm not an Alaskan owner I am familiar with the brand. The Alaskans are still in production and framed about the same as they always have been, out of Northwest Douglas Fir and Plywood. That translates to being on the heavier side. Durable but heavier. While you'll see them on 1/2 ton trucks, a 3/4 ton truck, I think, is better suited for the job.

The question is dimensions. The older Alaskans were approximately 48" at the base so about any full size should work for that one. The critical measurement is bed sidewall height. Over the years bed dimensions change, and change between manufactures. If the camper is shorter than the sidewalls then a platform will be required to compensate for the difference. Another measurement to consider is overall truck width. The two piece telescoping construction does not lend itself well to standard swing out corner jack mounts to compensate for truck width. I don't think many Alaskans were built with bumped out construction in the rear. If you find one that is then tailgate opening width will be a consideration. Tailgate openings have gotten narrower in the newer trucks.

I know this is not your question nor do I know your location but if you're open to anything, here is a combo in the N.W. http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3742326093.html It's not mine nor am I affiliated with it.

I wish you well in your search.


Your information is very helpful. Do you know of a convenient listing of cargo bed dimensions? A book is good too because the google searches are getting very obtuse with off subject advertisements.

I'm located in Seattle and appreciate links to Alaskan Campers as far away as Boise or Redding. I am thinking that I will focus on dry side of the mountains posts to avoid mold and water damage, but kick myself for passing up on an add for a '78 F250 with 48,000 miles and camper for $11,000. The rig had been garaged and was pristine.

welcome,

mine is a 1964 10ft nco on a 97 f250 diesel 3/4ton longbed with an extended cab. the camper is 10ft.lots of room in the bed. plenty of power.i got mine with 178,000 miles on it for 10grand.i'm told diesels last for several hundred thousand if maintained . there's lots of deals out there. my only complaints are that it doesn't turn on a dime(long wheel base) and i wish it had bench seats instead of buckets.my wife still likes to ride "high school" style.if you can get the 10ft'er. it's amazing how much bigger it feels inside. the bed is huge and plenty of room for two plus a third person or misc junk.my bed is 51 inches between wheel wells and 19 inches to top of sides. the camper is a tad over 48 inches wide at base.wood strips under camper and top of rails help support.

wes

Thanks. Great info.
Here are a couple more questions:
What F250 models come with an 8' cargo bed? Do I just need to rule out the "Crew Cab" styles?

I need good back support in the seats. Does anyone know how hard it would be to replace the seats on an older model with seats that have good back support?



You could run a 8' in a short bed with the tailgate down.

In Fords the seats are completely interchangeable from '72-'98

Your information is very helpful. Do you know of a convenient listing of cargo bed dimensions? A book is good too because the google searches are getting very obtuse with off subject advertisements.

I'm sorry I do not. Seems that there should be one somewhere, though I have no idea where.

I've got mine in a 2003 F-250 crew cab with a long bed...rides fine...and I've added air bags

most F-250's in the 75-95 range work without any modifications. When you get into the 2000-2005 Fords the tail of the bed curves in a bit which conflicts with getting the camper in "square". It took a little modification but since I was installing a new refer it just went along with the program. Most Pickups will require some modification for the mounting...at the bed height. Mine happens to require a 1 1/8" shim strip along the bed length.

Here is a 10' Alaskan on a 1 Ton Chevy...

Out looking at new Dodge trucks today to replace my 97 F250 7.3. Taking a measurement of the width of the rear bed I measure 60 inches. This is not wide enough to fit the camper. Then measuring the rear of a 2014 F250 I also measured 60 inches….not wide enough for the camper.
Has anyone else run into this problem?

I ended up modifying the rear section of our 1970 NCO at the closet section to fit my 2003 F250...I think I removed about 2.5" off of the section to straighten things out...It fit in the bed but was cockeyed to one side...this gave me a straight shot at the inclusion of my "drawer" section. I also installed a new norcold 2.7 at the same time and it fit perfectly. a porta potty still fits below the refer area with plenty of clearance....although I did move the drawer to below the refer.

When I mount the camper now, it butts up against the passengers side brace and the drawer section clears the drivers side brace by 1/4". Most older trucks had a straight shot at the bed. With all the double walls, thinner materials and the brace at the back of the bed...it puts a restriction on the camper fit....doesn't happen with new campers...just our "seasoned" varieties